McGovern details city's achievements at Visions awards

Monday

Mar 11, 2013 at 5:00 PMMar 11, 2013 at 8:50 PM

By Steven H. Foskett Jr. TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — In recounting the effort it took for the city to hone its vision of future growth, U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern Monday could just as easily have been talking about the Telegram & Gazette Visions Award winners seated in the audience.

On stage at Mechanics Hall, Mr. McGovern talked about "not accepting the status quo," leadership and discipline. And when he hailed the establishment of Biotech Park off Plantation Street, he was indirectly referencing Isaiah Thomas Award-winner Dr. Abraham W. Haddad, who helped get the park off the ground.

Telegram & Gazette Editor Leah Lamson described Dr. Haddad as someone who simply knows how to get things done. She talked about his dedication to community service — by his own estimation he has logged more than 15,000 hours — and his involvement with several organizations including the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, the Worcester County Music Association, the Worcester Economic Club, the Worcester Art Museum and the American Heart Association.

Dr. Haddad, a diplomat of the American Association of Hospital Dentistry and the American Academy of Periodontology, and an assistant clinical professor at UMass Medical School, gave a brief, modest acceptance speech for the Isaiah Thomas Award, in which he thanked his family and people in the community who work for the greater good.

He said his community involvement over the years has been fueled by a spirit of cooperation that exists in the city.

"It's a special privilege to be able to give back something so we can all have happy, healthier, productive and more meaningful lives," Dr. Haddad said.

The Telegram & Gazette launched the Visions awards in 1991 to promote progressive change, encourage community involvement and recognize exceptional contributions by individuals and organizations.

Mr. McGovern said Worcester is a world-class city that knows what it is and where it is going, a far cry from 10 years ago, when the congressman recounted a speech he gave in which he likened the city's approach to development to children's soccer, in which "everyone rushes to chase a ball across the field."

But through political leadership and municipal discipline, ideas that seemed like fantasies 10 years ago — Gateway Park, the Gardner-Kilby-Hammond revitalization project, the renovation of the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, CitySquare — have been turned, or are being turned, into reality, Mr. McGovern said.

And Mr. McGovern said those projects and more would not have been possible without the involvement of local, state and federal governments.

The idea of government as a positive force has come under attack in Washington, D.C., by "anti-government extremists," Mr. McGovern said. He called the sequestration cuts in federal spending an "all-time high in recklessness and stupidity."

Describing himself as a proud and passionate liberal, Mr. McGovern said he still believes in the public sector.

He said those worried about the debt must look no further than what he described as nearly $2 trillion of debt racked up by wars that have not made us more secure or enhanced our stature in the world.

Anna N. Klouda of Lancaster, a Nashoba Regional High School graduate and student at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, received the Academic Achievement Award. Alternatives Unlimited Inc. in Whitinsville received the Cultural Enrichment Award. Amy R. Mosher of Worcester received the Young Leader Award, and Maurice J. Boisvert, past president and CEO of You Inc., received the Public Service Award.

Telegram & Gazette Publisher Bruce Gaultney said each year the newspaper receives incredible nominations for the Visions Awards.

"We are truly fortunate to live in a community where so many people do so much for others," Mr. Gaultney said.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.